Device for straightening oil wells



D. B. MONROE DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING OIL; WELLS Sept. 19, 1939.

Filed Aug. 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY fl/l/v/a 6i MON/F05. W ATTORNEY.

Sept. 19, 1939.

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING OIL WELLS D. B. MONROE Filed Aug. 22, 1938 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,173,309 DEVICE FOR- STRAIG HTENING 01L WELLS Daniel B. Monroe, Denver, Colo.

Application August 22, 1938, Serial No. 226,098

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for straightening crooked or inclined drill holes when drilling wells with a rotary drilling rig and has for its principal object the provision of a simple,

5 highly-eflicient device to be placed between the drill stem and the drill of a rotary rig which will act to automatically direct the bit vertically downward from an inclined hole.

Another object of the invention is to so con- 10 struct the device that after the hole has been brought to the vertical position, drilling may be continued without removing the straightening device so that less of time in withdrawing the g string is eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the degree of offset may be accurately controlled from the surface by varying the weight placed upon the drill.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and eificiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

25 In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of theimproved well straightening device partially in section.

Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are horizontal cross sections therethrough, taken on the lines 2-2, 33 35 4-4, 5-5, respectively, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the device illustrating it in place in a drill hole. In this section, the device is illustrated in the vertical drilling position.

40 Fig. '7 is a similar section illustrating the device being used to direct an inclined drill hole back to the vertical position.

.In the drawings the drill stem of'the drilling rig is indicated at l and thedrill bit at H.

45 The improved straightener employes a spring socket joint l2 which is threaded into the lower extremity of the drill: stem III. A hollow drill shaft l3 extends from the socket joint to the drill II. There is a-square portion l4 adjacent 60 the upper extremity of the drill shaft l3. This square portion passes through. a square hole in a bushing l which is threaded into the bottom of the socket joint II. The square portion l4 terminates in a spherical faced head l6 which 65 prevents withdrawal of the shaft spring housing. A spring cup l1, having a spherical concavity engagingthe spherical head I6, is constantly forced downwardly against the head by means of a relatively heavy compression spring I8. 5

When the shaft I3 is at its lowermost position, and the spring I8 is fully extended, the head l6 fits snuggly in the bottom of the socket joint [2 and rests against a conical seat on the bushing l5 which holds it rigidly in alignment 10 with the drill stem I0. As the weight on the drill stem is increased, the spring Ht will be compressed allowing the socket joint to slip downwardly on the drill shaft l3 until the head l6 enters an enlarged chamber [9 in the socket joint. This frees the head so that it may move to the side, as shown'in Fig. '7, to allow the shaft l3 to swing out of alignment with the drill stem ID. The square hole through-the bushing I5 is tapered, as indicated at 20, to permit angular movement between the drill stem l0 and the shaft I3. As soon as the weight on the drill stem is released, the spring I8 will again force the head to its seat in the bushing l5.and bring the shaft l3 into alignment as shown in Fig. 6.

An eccentric, counterweight 2| is rotatably mounted about the shaft l3 so that it may swing to the lower side thereof should the shaft be inclined. This counterweight carries flanged sleeves 22 and 23 at its upper and lower extremities respectively. These sleeves are telescopically fitted into. the counterweight but are keyed against rotation therein. I

Between each flange and the counterweight, and at each extremity thereof, is a compressible rubber buffer 24.. These buffers are secured to the counterweight and to the flanges 22 and 23 and are faced in opposite directions. The lower sleeve flange rides against a thrust bearingv 25 on the drill I I and the upper sleeve flange supports a flanged thrust member 28 on similar thrust bearings 21. The thrust member 28 is free to move vertically on the square portion l4 of the shaft and contacts'the bushing l5. Let us assume that it has been ascertained that 4 a'drill hole, such as illustrated in Fig. 7, isbeing drilled on an incline from the vertical. The above straightener is attached to the lower extremity of the drill stem and lowered into the well. When the bottom is-reached, the incline of 60 the well will cause the counter weight 2| to swing toward the lower side thereof. This places the upper buffer 24 toward the lower side of the hole and the lower buffer 25 opposite the higher side.

Weight is now brought to bear upon the drill stem to compress the spring l8 and release the head It. This causes the bushing I! to force the thrust member 26 to compress the two buffers and project them outwardly, as shown in Fig. 7. This causes lower buffer to force the drill toward the low side and the upper buffer to force the upper extremity of the shaft I 3 toward the high side of the drill hole. Drilling is now resumed with the drill shaft l3 maintaining its new angular position, thus gradually turning the hole back toward the vertical position.

When the vertical position is reached, the weight on the drill stem is lessened allowing the position of Fig. 6 to be resumed so that normal straight drilling may be continued without withdrawing the straightener.

If desired, a shear pin 28 may be inserted through the joint I2 into the: head l6 to hold the mechanism in the straight extended position until sufficient weight is brought to bear to shear the pin 28.

The square portion ll on the shaft l3 cooperates with the square hole in the bushing I5 to transmit the rotative power to the drill II at all angular positions thereof.

The shaft I3 is formed with a water core 29 and the cup I! is formed with a water passage 30 so that the water from the drill stem may flow downwardly through the spring housing and shaft to the drill.

While the invention has been described as particularly valuable for straightening inclined holes to bring them to the vertical position, it is also useful for deflecting a straight hole to drill around an obstruction such as lost tools, etc. In the latter case, weight placed upon the device will compress the spring I! to create a loose joint which will allow the shaft ll to swing in the spring socket to an angle.

The amount of angle and the direction thereof may be pre-set in advance, if desired,by placing a locking screw at the point A", Fig. 7, before the device is lowered in the hole. This screw will shear when drilling is commenced.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for straightening well drill holes comprising: a socket member for attachment to the lower extremity of a drill stem; a drill shaft swingingly depending from said socket member; means for attaching a drill bit to the lower'extremity of said drill shaft; and means for locking sariddshaft in alignment withsaid stem when des e 2. A device for straightening well drill holes comprising: a socket member for attachment to the lower extremity of a drill stem; a drill shaft swingingly depending from said socket member; means for attaching a drill bit to the lower extremity of said drill shaft; and means operable from the surface for locking said shaft in alignment with said stem when desired.

3. A device for straightening well drill holes comprising: asocket member for attachment to the lower extremity of a drill stem; a drill shaft having its upper extremity in said socket member; a head on said drill shaft for preventing its withdrawal from said socket member, said socket member being chambered to allow said head to swing out of alignment with said stem; a

seat for said head formed about said "shaft, said seat being in axial alignment with said stem; and spring means for urging said head against said seat to bring said shaft into alignment with said stem; and a drilling bit carried on the lower extremity of said shaft.

4. A device for straightening well drill holes comprising: a socket member for attachment to the lower extremity of a drill stem; a drill shaft having its upper extremity in said socket member; a head on said drill shaft for preventing its withdrawal from said socket member, said socket member being chambered to allow said head to swing out of alignment with said stem, the upper portion of said shaft being noncircular; a bush ing, having a passage for the non-circular portion of said shaft, threaded into said socket member to hold said head in place therein; a seat on said bushing for the reception of said head, said seat being positioned concentric of said stem; a compression spring in said socket member urging said head from said chamber and against said seat; and a drilling bit on the lower extremity of said shaft.

5. A device for straightening well drill holes comprising: a socket member for attachment to the lower extremity of a drill stem; a .drill shaft having its upper extremity in said socket member; a head on said drill shaft for preventing its withdrawal from said socket member, 'said socket member being chambered to allow said head to swing out of alignment with said stem; the upper portion of said shaft being non-circular; a bushing, having a passage for the non-circular portion of" said shaft, threaded into said socket member to hold said head in place therein; a seat on said bushing for the reception of said head, said seat being positioned concentric of said stem; means for holding said head in said seat until a predetermined weight is-placed on said drill'stem; and means for mounting a drilling bit on said shaft.

6. A device for bringing inclined well drill holes to perpendicular including a drill shaft; and vertically compressible means on opposite sides of and at different elevations on said shaft arranged, when compressed, to project outward from said shaft against the wall of the well to force the lower extremity of said shaft in one direction and the upper extremity in the opposite direction.

'1. A device for bringing inclined well drill holes to perpendicular including a drill shaft; vertically compressible means on said shaft arranged, when compressed, to project outward from said shaft against the wall of the well to deviate said shaft from its course; and a counterweight mounted on said shaft to control the direction of projection of said compressible means.

8. A device for straightening inclined well drill holes comprising: a rotary drilling stem; a socket member on the lower extremity of said stem; a drill shaft depending from said socket member,

said socket being vertically movable on the upper extremity of said shaft; means for preventing relative rotary movement between said shaft and said socket member; means carried by said drill shaft and actuated by the downward movement of the socket member thereon so as to project from opposite sides of said shaft into contact with the wall of the drill hole at different elevations to deviate said shaft from its course; means acting to constantly urge said shaft into alignment with said stem and means for attaching a drilling bit at the lower extremity of said shaft.

9. A device for straightening inclined well drill holes comprising: a rotary drilling stem; a

socket member on the lower extremity of said' stem; a drill shaft depending from said socket member, said socket-being verticallys movable on the upper extremity of said shaft; means for preventing relative rotary movement between said shaft and said socket member; an eccentric counterweight free to rotate about said shaft; resilient, vertically compressible means carried I by said counterweight at one side of said shaft;

and means actuated by the downward movement of said socket member on said drill shaft for compressing said compressible means to cause the latter to be projected outward against the wall of said drill hol'e'to exert a deviating effect on said shaft. I

10; A device for straightening inclined well drill holes comprising: a rotary drilling stem; a socket memberon the lower extremity of said stem; a drill shaft depending from said socket member, said socket being vertically movable on the upper extremityofsaid shaft; means for preventing relative rotary movement between said shaft and said socket member; an eccentric counterweight free to rotate about said shaft; 9.

flanged sleeve telescopically projecting from each extremity of said counterweight a compressible rubber buffer positioned between each sleeve and said counterweight, the upper bufier projecting on the side toward said weight and the lower buffer projecting on the side from said weight; and compressing means in the path of movement of said socket member on said shaft for compressing said buffers so that they will project outwardly against the wall of said drill hole.

11. An oil well drill bit guide comprising: a downwardly depending, chambered socket member; a drill shaft depending from said socket member; a bushing closing the chamber of-the socket member about said drill shaft and preventing withdrawal of the latter, said bushing having a passage for said shaft, said passage being enlarged at its extremity to allow said shaft to swing in any direction, said bushing being free to move longitudinally on said shaft so that brought opposite the head of said shaft; means for preventing relative rotation between said bushing and said shaft; means for connecting said socket member to a drill stem; and means for connecting said shaft to a drill bit.

.DANIEL B. MONROE. 

